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20100323

"TRANSFORM YOU" HAUL CONTEST! ENDS APRIL 18TH 2010 (Enough time to do your look, edit and think of your custom color for the end of your video)

RULES: Transform yourself using makeup {We are giving a lot of room for creativity with very loose rules because its our first Haul giveaway AND we don't want to but restrictions on anyones art, so have fun with it} RULES TO BE ENTER THE CONTEST 1. MUST SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL 2. MUST show Before and After (look can be speed up in the middle) 3. One entry per person 4. You must talk about or write about your desired customize color AND its name somewhere in your video (see detail for custom blending --> http://www.sp3ctrum.com/custom_blending/ ) 5. Must post your videos as a response to THIS video so I know you are participating in this contest6. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTED BY APRIL 16TH 11:59PM PST to be valid {ENDS APRIL 18TH 2010}

20100305

I normally don't do looks because I can never find my camera charger and I really don't like how the lighting in my room is without a good flash BUT I was sooooooo excited about the new member of my jeweled family that I had to do an inspired look.

::I LOVE ERIKA::

Erika Out Of The Blue Pendant - Swarovski

I loved the pale blue, zircon blue and clear crystals in this piece. I guess I'm a little bias though, I've always loved the Erika pieces by Swarovski, so needless to say I was very excited when I got my new Erika in the mail today!

Like I said, the iPhone doesn't take the best pictures with my yellow lighting in my room but this came out okay... not the but good enough until I figure out how to edit the YouTube video I made.

20100304

"One in 150 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For all the children and families affected by this disorder - and all those who will be - the time to act is now. More children will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder this year than with AIDS, Diabetes & Cancer combined!
Autism is a spectrum of psychological conditions characterized by widespread abnormalities of social interactions and communication, as well as severely restricted interests and highly repetitive behavior.

My family knows first hand the frustration of Autism's mystery, knowing too well there is no medical detection or cure for Autism. My son Alijah, now 9 years old, is a child with Autism. I started this brand for him, my 6 year old daughter Aliyah, and all the children that are affected by this mysterious disorder.

I created ɐ spectrum to give back to all those that feel the same frustration as I do.

The ɐ (an upside down a) stands for the puzzle of Autism, along with the impact it personally has on my family and others like us. The a also relates to my family personally because all of our names start with the letter A. You will also notices Spectrum spelled with a 3 for the E, also a symbol that this is our fight together, the three of us. This brand will reflect our love, strength and our hope for the future of our family and families like ours.

With the purchase of any ɐ spectrum branded Spectrum Cosmetics products ALL the proceeds with go directly to Autism Research and Education."

This is an excerpt from my website. I tried to explain why I choose Spectrum and Autism but I didn't want to be to long winded. Well since this is my blog, I can do what I want :)

So many people know, my son Alijah is a child with Autism. And we all know or have heard a lot about Autism in the last couple of years because of Jenny McCarthy, Toni Braxton, Halle Robinson Pete, etc. But what be don't realize is there are HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND of families that are not famous that have brothers, sister, cousin, grandchildren etc that suffer from Autism.

Its become an pandemic! When I was 7 years old 1 in 11,000 children when diagnosed with Autism. Movies like Rain Man were made and no one knew what Autism is or knew anyone with it. Now I'm 28, now its 1 in 150 and some places are reporting 1 in 90. That is INSANE when you think of the numbers of children that are suffering. These days everyone knows at least one child or adult that is Autistic. Some not being able to talk, feed themselves, relate to family members, socialize or focus on anything and all of it without a true cause.

Autism has NO cause and NO cure.

Spectrum Cosmetics is just starting out, only a year in the industry but I will donate all that I can though ɐ spectrum so that that one day I can say I helped hundreds of thousands of families find HOPE.

Let me say first off.. I'm HORRIBLE at using primers... I always feel like they are dulling my color with the the color of the primer and clear or no color primers don't ever do the job... maybe I'm wrong... whatever (lol)

My concerns when designing:
Sanitation - I wanted to make a mixing medium that can be used in the most sterile way possible. No pouring in caps or spilling.
Staying power - make a primer that will help eyeshadows, pigments, and even glitters stay longer
Preservation - The mixing medium is water based and that can cause bacteria to grow within and cause the product to go back within two months or so without the right preservatives.

I also wanted to design a water based mixing medium that can be as natural as possible. So I researched for a few weeks and I tried a few formulas. Finally I decided on a great formula and started to test it.

The final formula contents:

Distilled Water

Glycerol {Glycerin} - Effective humectant & moisturizer that attracts water to the intercellular space of the skin

Top to Bottom: FAMOUS without Mixing Medium; FAMOUS with Mixing Medium; HI DEF without Mixing Medium & HI DEF with Mixing Medium

Then...

I did a 8 hour test on my hand and I took a few pictures. I figured a hand test was better than full makeup. If it could withstand being on my hand while I'm rubbing against things and holding hands with my kids from time to time it would do AWESOME on eyes that have less contact.

I chose to use the Spectrum Cosmetics pigment FAMOUS because its a larger particle pigment AND metallic. I did not use any primer or anything on my fans. They were freshly washed with no lotion. You will notice some redness on my hand. I dyed it with coloring while making Ambrosia.

I started at 11:30am before I left the house to run errands.11:30am - Left side FAMOUS with Mixing Medium; Right side FAMOUS without Mixing Medium

2:17pm - Left side FAMOUS with Mixing Medium; Right side FAMOUS without Mixing Medium
I went to several stores and even put groceries in the car and as you can see both sides are still sticking very well.

5:45pm - Left side FAMOUS with Mixing Medium; Right side FAMOUS without Mixing Medium
I took this in the car on the way home. As you can see the FAMOUS pigment without the Mixing Medium has rubbed off a little but is still sticking to my bare hand pretty well.

8:29pm - Left side FAMOUS with Mixing Medium; Right side FAMOUS without Mixing Medium
I took this right after I washed the dishes.. I honestly forgot I was doing the test by then. As you can see the FAMOUS without is completely gone but the the FAMOUS pigment with the Mixing Medium still there a little even after being in and out of water.

I was very happy with this test, and surprised with the results. I picked aluminum spray bottles so that the mixing medium can be sprayed directly on the your brushes. Its cleaner and it prevents the waste of product. We will start production of the Wet & Set Mixing Medium and will have available on the site very soon.